Can a Pregnant Woman Pet Her Cats?

If you've heard that pregnant women need to avoid cats, don't worry. There's virtually zero risk of health complications from normal cat-to-owner contact. Toxoplasmosis is a much-talked-about parasitic infection that can afflict pregnant women from the cat's litter box, but it's uncommon and easy to avoid. That relatively small risk is associated only with cat feces, not petting, so don't be afraid when Lester jumps in your lap for a good cuddle session.

  1. Cats and Toxoplasmosis

    • Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that can infect your cat and get passed along in his feces. The parasite, toxoplasma gondii, infects a cat who ingests it, sometimes in the form of raw meat, soil or small game like birds and mice. He then excretes reproducing microorganisms in his stool. After a matter of days, the stool becomes infective. Infection in a pregnant woman can cause birth defects like mental retardation.

    Contracting Toxoplasmosis

    • Toxoplasmosis is a serious condition with lifelong consequences, but it isn't easily contracted. Because the microorganisms need a few days in the feces to become infective, and because they can be contracted only by ingestion, only one scenario exists in which a pregnant woman is likely to become infected: waiting three to five days between cleaning an infected cat's litter box, then directly contacting the infectious feces when cleaning the litter box, then preparing food or touching her mouth without washing her hands first. Basic hygiene makes this unlikely, but most doctors recommend asking a friend or significant other to take over litter box duties during your pregnancy just in case.

    Petting the Kitty

    • Since contracting toxoplasmosis without direct fecal contact is highly unlikely, pregnant women are free to hold and pet their cats worry-free. If you want to stay on the safe side, always wash your hands between petting your cat and preparing food or touching your mouth -- this is something you should do whether or not you're pregnant, to prevent the transfer of dander, bacteria or bodily oils into your mouth.

    Exercising Precaution

    • Keeping away from the litter box isn't the only way you can protect yourself from toxoplasmosis. If your cat is typically free to wander outside, restrict his access to the great outdoors for a few months -- most of his toxoplasmosis risk factors come from outside. Don't pet any stray cats or cats you don't know, and don't feed your cat raw meat, as he can contract the parasite that way.